To become an official candidate for National Board Certification, you must apply directly with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards through the official website at www.nbpts.org.
How do I apply for National Board Certification?
What is the fee for becoming a National Board Certification candidate?
The assessment fee for candidacy is $2,500, which includes the $500 nonrefundable initial fee. There is also a nonrefundable $65 application processing charge, which is due at the time the application is submitted online.
What financial assistance is available?
Funding is available for a limited number of scholarships through the Arizona Master Teacher Program and the Arizona K12 Center. Availability of scholarships is dependent on funding and eligibility requirements may change from year to year. All scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please visit our Scholarship and Funding [program description] page for more information.
Teachers who are interested in pursuing this scholarship opportunity must complete a National Board Pre-Candidacy class [program description] prior to the scholarship being awarded. These classes are typically offered free of charge in school districts throughout the state as well as the Arizona K12 Center. Upon completion of a Pre-Candidacy class a teacher is eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The Arizona Department of Education coordinates the NBPTS Federal Subsidy Program and also offers fee support through a competitive application process.
Who do I contact for an application for fee assistance through the Arizona K12 Center and the Master Teacher Program?
At the last Pre-Candidacy class, interested participants will complete a scholarship application. Additional applications are available by contacting Jessica Ress at info@azk12.org. Completion of a Pre-Candidacy class is required prior to requesting an application. Applications will not be accepted prior to the completion of a Pre-Candidacy class.
How will I be notified if I am awarded a scholarship from the Arizona K12 Center?
Applications are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. Once your application has been received and confirmation of Pre-Candidacy class completion has been verified, an Arizona K12 Center staff member will contact you via email. Once you have been notified that you will be receiving scholarship assistance, payment will be made directly to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
The funding received through the Arizona K12 Center is considered a third party payment, therefore it is very important that you choose the "release name" elective (Question #38 on the candidate application) in order for the Arizona K12 Center to continue to view your status online. This option can also be selected by logging into your My Profile National Board account, clicking Letters and Agreements, and editing the option at the bottom of the page to release your name to third parties.
Once you have been approved for scholarship assistance, you can check the status of your payment by visiting www.nbpts.org and checking your candidate profile.
What support can I expect to receive as a candidate for National Board?
The Arizona K12 Center provides support to candidates through organized events designed to foster meaningful communities of practice.
National Board Certified Teachers are trained by the Arizona K12 Center to provide monthly small group support in districts and regional areas across the state.
The National Board Summer Institute is our kick-off event for new candidates pursuing National Board Certification. This weeklong event is energizing and motivating, while allowing candidates to form new relationships and establish a plan for success. Coaching Saturdays, Coaching Saturdays PLUS, Fall and Spring Retreats, January Working Retreats and Assessment Center Preparation are a few of the offerings made available to candidates in their candidacy year. These events are typically held in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff. These events provide opportunities for candidates to receive coaching and meet with others pursuing their same certificate area while developing personal applications and gaining new understandings of the process.
Coaching Saturdays and Retreats are designed for candidates who want to spend time with other candidates and trained coaches to guide them through their portfolio entries. Coaching Saturdays PLUS offer the opportunity for candidates to receive technical support with the video, in addition to specialized coaching and work time. At Coaching Saturdays PLUS, the focused candidate can walk away with both DVDs burned and ready to submit to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Do I need to register for small group meetings in my school district or regional area?
It is not necessary to register via the Arizona K12 Center website for small group meetings. Small group lists are generated by the Arizona K12 Center and schedules of all meetings are distributed at the National Board Summer Institute. Prior to the first scheduled small group meeting, you should expect to be contacted by your assigned Candidate Support Provider with the details of these meetings. It is important that candidates stay in close communication with their Candidate Support Provider, letting him/her know when you will not be able to participate. To find a small group near you, please contact Jessica Ress at info@azk12.org. It is important that candidates stay in close communication with their small group facilitator, letting him/her know when you will not be able to participate.
How do I register for National Board support events?
Should you elect to participate in any of our statewide Candidate Support Events (Pre-Candidacy class, Summer Institute, Coaching Saturdays, Coaching Saturdays PLUS, Working Retreats, Assessment Center Preparation, Celebration of Accomplished Teaching), you must register, on or before each event deadline. To register for events, login to your profile at: www.azk12.org. Once logged into your account, you can select Professional Learning [hyperlink to National Board event page] to register for events.
Do I need to set up an account on the Arizona K12 Center’s website?
First time users of the Arizona K12 Center registration system must first set up an account prior to registering for an event. There is no charge to establish an account. It is important that you keep this information accurate and current.
Every participant must have his or her own individual account.
How is information disseminated and contact made with candidates?
All information is disseminated via email and the Arizona K12 Center website. All contacts are made via email. It is imperative that we have your current email address and that you check it with great frequency both during the school and summer months. The Arizona K12 Center is happy to send emails to multiple addresses if this meets your needs.
What will be expected of me if I receive fee assistance through the Arizona K12 Center?
Candidates who are eligible for and receive funding agree to:
- Complete all components of both the portfolio and assessment center activities in the first year.
- Attend the monthly small group meetings facilitated by a Candidate Support Provider (may miss up to two).
- Attend three Coaching Saturdays (scholarship recipients may attend three at no cost).
What if I withdraw from the process after being funded?
Candidates who receive funding for the NBPTS process, but do not fulfill the candidate obligations listed above, are obligated to repay the scholarship amount to the Arizona K12 Center. The candidate may avoid repaying the scholarship amount to the Arizona K12 Center by withdrawing in writing to the National Board prior to the portfolio deadline. If a candidate fails to withdraw with the National Board, withdraws after the portfolio deadline, or withdraws after scheduling an assessment center appointment, the candidate may owe the Arizona K12 Center the full amount of the scholarship. If a candidate fails to complete all components of the portfolio and the on-site assessment in the first year, the teacher may owe the full amount of the scholarship to the Arizona K12 Center.
What steps must I take to withdraw?
Any candidate who chooses to withdraw from the process is responsible for notifying the NBPTS in writing by completing and submitting the online Withdrawal Form available from their online account in the My Profile section on the National Board website. If funding has been received through the Arizona K12 Center, the candidate must send verification of this formal withdrawal to the Arizona K12 Center prior to the portfolio deadline. Payments to the Arizona K12 Center can be made over the phone via credit card or can be sent via check to the Arizona K12 Center at 99 East Virginia, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
For more information on withdrawal from the process, please visit NBPTS.
What is National Board Certification?
National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to identify, recognize and reward highly accomplished teachers and school counselors who meet the rigorous standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for what teachers should know and be able to do.
Who is eligible to apply for National Board Certification?
Applicants who wish to pursue National Board Certification must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- Have completed three years of successful teaching in one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school(s) on a valid Provisional or Standard teaching certificate (emergency or intern certificates are not valid). Note that applicants for ECYA/School Counseling must have completed three years successfully serving as a school counselor in one or more early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary school(s) to meet the employment eligibility prerequisite.
- Hold a valid state teaching license.
